The term Various Artists is used in the record industry when numerous singers and musicians collaborate on a song or collection of songs. Most often on Last.fm, compilation album tracks appear under the name of Various Artists erroneously because the individual artist is not listed in the album's ID3 information.
Compilation albums, for example.
Sometimes, single releases may be credited to Various Artists when their profits are going to charity and, usually in high-profile cases, are sometimes known by a group name. Examples include Band Aid with their releases of Do They Know It's Christmas? and USA for Africa with We Are The World.
Various Artists is also an actual performance name for Torsten Pröfrock, who runs the German DIN label. Torsten performs also as Dynamo, Erosion, Resilent, Traktor besides some others. He's a good friend of Robert Henke and since the Fall of 2004, he is a member of Monolake.
Various Artists was also a short-lived Bristol punk band formed by brothers Jonjo and Robin Key (originally from Birmingham). Other members were also simultaneously in Art Objects who went on to become The Blue Aeroplanes, the latter the Key brothers also co-wrote some songs and were involved in. When Various Artists imploded, the Key brothers went on to form Either / Or.
Various Artists also appear on tracks from musical theater soundtracks, due to the nature of having many cast members on one song, as well as an ensemble in some cases.
Life On Mars?
Various Artists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the girl with the mousy hair
But her mummy is yelling no
And her daddy has told her to go
But her friend is nowhere to be seen
Now she walks through her sunken dream
To the seat with the clearest view
But the film is a saddening bore
For she's lived it ten times or more
She could spit in the eyes of fools
As they ask her to focus on
Sailors fighting in the dance hall
Oh man look at those cavemen go
It's the freakiest show
Take a look at the lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh man wonder if he'll ever know
He's in the best selling show
Is there life on Mars?
It's on America's tortured brow
That Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow
Now the workers have struck for fame
'Cause Lennon's on sale again
See the mice in their million hordes
From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads
Rule Britannia is out of bounds
To my mother, my dog, and clowns
But the film is a saddening bore
'Cause I wrote it ten times or more
It's about to be writ again
As I ask you to focus on
Sailors fighting in the dance hall
Oh man look at those cavemen go
It's the freakiest show
Take a look at the lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh man wonder if he'll ever know
He's in the best selling show
Is there life on Mars?
The song "Life on Mars?" by David Bowie is a reflection of the confusion and chaos of life. It starts with a description of a troubled girl who is being forced to leave her home by her parents, but her friend is nowhere to be seen. She walks through her sunken dream to a seat with the clearest view, hooked to the silver screen. Despite the film being a "saddening bore," she lives it ten times over and could "spit in the eyes of fools." This allegory seems to portray the monotony of everyday life and how people often cling to it despite its dullness.
The chorus "Is there life on Mars?" seems to pose a question to the listeners about the possibility of life beyond this earth, and whether it might be better than our present existence. The last few lines of the song are a commentary on the state of affairs in America, the commercialization of pop culture, and the power dynamics that lead to oppression.
In conclusion, "Life on Mars?" is a thought-provoking and enigmatic song that challenges the status quo and encourages people to question the monotony of their lives. The song is a reflection of David Bowie's creativity and his ability to capture the mood and pulse of his time.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a God-awful small affair
This situation is trivial and insignificant.
To the girl with the mousy hair
Talking to a girl with plain, unremarkable hair.
But her mummy is yelling no
Her mother is telling her not to do something.
And her daddy has told her to go
Her father has instructed her to leave.
But her friend is nowhere to be seen
Her companion is absent and cannot be found.
Now she walks through her sunken dream
She is aimlessly wandering in a state of despair.
To the seat with the clearest view
She goes to a place where she can see everything clearly.
And she's hooked to the silver screen
She is addicted to the movies and the glamour they provide.
But the film is a saddening bore
The movie is depressing and uninteresting.
For she's lived it ten times or more
She has seen this movie many times before and is tired of it.
She could spit in the eyes of fools
She is angry at those who don't understand or relate to her plight.
As they ask her to focus on
Others are trying to get her attention, but she is not interested.
Sailors fighting in the dance hall
A chaotic scene is unfolding before her eyes.
Oh man look at those cavemen go
She is mocking those who are behaving in a primitive or uncivilized way.
It's the freakiest show
The whole situation is bizarre and unusual.
Take a look at the lawman
She observes a figure of authority in action.
Beating up the wrong guy
The authority figure is making a mistake and hurting an innocent person.
Oh man wonder if he'll ever know
She is questioning whether the authority figure will ever realize his error.
He's in the best selling show
Despite the mistake, the authority figure is still popular and successful.
Is there life on Mars?
She is questioning the meaning and purpose of existence.
It's on America's tortured brow
These issues are weighing heavily on American society.
That Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow
Even something as harmless as a cartoon character has become twisted and corrupted.
Now the workers have struck for fame
The working class is protesting and fighting for recognition and respect.
'Cause Lennon's on sale again
Even the memory of a beloved musician is being commercialized and exploited.
See the mice in their million hordes
People are moving together like a swarm of mice, struggling to survive and succeed.
From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads
This struggle is occurring everywhere, from glamorous party destinations to humbler areas in the countryside.
Rule Britannia is out of bounds
Even national pride and patriotism are being called into question.
To my mother, my dog, and clowns
To everyone and everything that provides comfort and happiness.
But the film is a saddening bore
Again, the movie is depressing and uninteresting.
'Cause I wrote it ten times or more
She is acknowledging that she is the one who has created this same, dull situation over and over again.
It's about to be writ again
She is about to repeat the same mistakes and create the same situation again.
As I ask you to focus on
She is saying this to whoever is listening or reading, asking them to pay attention to what she is saying.
Contributed by Anna F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.